US Immigration Visa Legislation for Nurses Awaited

by Bong Reblando

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The US Congress would likely pass immigration visa legislation for foreign nurses, including Filipinos, only after the US presidential election in Nov. 4 this year, a New Jersey executive nurse said.

"A law on immigration visa may be passed next year since US Congress is too busy now in the presidential campaign, a sagging economy, and the war in Iraq," Darlene Dilangalen Borromeo, associate director of Nursing at Bergen Medical Center in New Jersey, said.

She explained that the absence of immigration visas has stalled processing of applications of Filipino nurses, particularly those who have already passed the Nursing Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX).

Borromeo disclosed since the quota for Filipino nurses has already been consummed and only the US Congress is empowered by law to allocate new quotas for foreign workers including Filipinos wanting to work in the US, the US embassy in Manila has no visa to issue.

But the Philippine-born American nurse emphasized that the US Congress would prioritize the law on immigration visas since healthcare is one of the primary issues in the US presidential campaign.

"Certainly, a law on granting immigrant visas for foreign nurses and health workers is an immediate concern of the US Congress, the same way with economy and the war in Iraq," Borromeo said.

She said the US needs 1.2 million nurses in the next 10 years to cope with the country’s healthcare program as most nurses now are retiring, with their average age ranging between 45 to 65 years old.

On top of this, Borromeo also disclosed the need for more nurses in the US as many existing hospitals in the US are expanding and several others having been newly constructed.

A native of Barangay Lagao here, Borromeo made the remarks during the recent "Nursing Leaders Night" hosted by the Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society headed by Prof. Jerome Babate at the city’s downtown Family Country Hotel Convention Center.

The immediate president of the Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA) in New Jersey, Borromeo attended the three-day International Nursing Conference in historic Manila Hotel last Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, along with her three nursing student scholars.

Borromeo is an honorary member of the Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society, which was founded by nurses and nursing students of Notre Dame Marbel University and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in 1973. The Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society, which now accepts nursing students from Brokenshire Nursing College in the city, has conferred Borromeo as an honorary member, wherein she opened the Darlene Dilangalen Borromeo Nursing Leadership Program.

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VISA BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2008

Visa Bulletin

Number 114
Volume VIII
Washington, D.C.
VISA BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2008

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS

1. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations were made, to the extent possible under the numerical limitations, for the demand received by December 10th in the chronological order of the reported priority dates. If the demand could not be satisfied within the statutory or regulatory limits, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. Only applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date may be allotted a number. Immediately that it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a cut-off date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new cut-off date.

2. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3. Section 203 of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of immigrant visas... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF U.S VISAS

Two basic types of US visas:

1. Immigrant visas: For those intending to reside permanently in the United States. (Whether or not they intend to work.)

2. Nonimmigrant visas: Visa for visiting United States temporarily. Tourist or medical treatment,businsess purpose,Students, Participants in exchange programs, Temporary workers, Performing artists, Professional journalists, and Government representatives, etc. Different categories of visas:

Temporary Worker Visas:

There are several categories of temporary worker visas. All applicants for such visas, must have a petition approved by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) before applying for the visa.

• Registered nurses, persons in a speciality occupation H-1B, temporary or seasonal agricultural workers, temporary or seasonal non agricultural workers, trainees other than medical or academic, practical training in the education of handicapped children.

• L Visa-- Intra company transferees. L2 is a depdent visa for L1 family members.

• O-1 Visa-- Persons with extraordinary ability in the science, arts, education, business, athletics, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television field.

• P-1 to P-3 Visa-- Individual or team of athletes, or members of an entertainment group, that are internationally recognized.The spouse and unmarried, minor children of an applicant for H or L visas may also be classified as nonimmigrant in order to accompany or join the principal applicant.

• ** A person who has received a H4 visa as the spouse or child of a temporary worker, may not accept employment in the United States.
  

Student Visas:

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States.

• The F visa is for academic studies, and the M visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies.

• ** A spouse, and unmarried, minor children may also receive nonimmigrant visas to accompany or follow the student.
  

Visitors Visas( B1/ B2):

Visitors visas are nonimmigrant visas, for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily

• For Business purpose B1
  

• For pleasure or Tourist purpose B2 visa.
  

• For Medical treatment (B-2). (These visas are for a specifically limited period.)
  

Note: Foreign travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries, may not need Tourist / Business visa to visit the U.S. They can enter USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.Following countries are in the Visa Waiver Program.
Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (For citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.)

• Process to apply ?
  

• All US visa applicants require to be interviewed by a US Consulate, before being granted a visa. Applicant need to appear in person for the Interview at consulate. A prior appointment is must for this purpose. There are 4 USA consulate in India and based on your address of residency/state in India, need to contact a specific service provider for that consulate that is applicable for you.
  

• Prepare all the documents as per the list given above.
  

• Setup an appoinment for the interview. Submit the documents.
  

• Go for the interview on scheduled time, if visa approved give electronic fingure printing.
  

• Passport will be delivered by courier at your address

source: path2usa.com